ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the scope of what is now labeled corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the responses of companies in retail supply chains. It also describes methods of aligning CSR initiatives with strategy to the benefit of society and the stakeholders. CSR policy functions as a self-regulatory mechanism where each business monitors and ensures its compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards, and national or international norms. The CSR movement requires substantive, formal processes for managing what will likely be multiple, simultaneous efforts at different levels of the organization. A shared-value CSR effort that also includes inside-out priorities should benefit both society and the enterprise. This leads to a healthier company that provides jobs, pays taxes, produces products society needs, and avoids activities that damage the world around it. Many of the CSR examples in this chapter are not limited to a single company.